Scientists use myriad technologies to help them predict hurricanes, everything from RADAR to “Hurricane Hunters” who fly into the storms with specialized aircraft.
This same technology helps to detect whether these powerful storms are increasing or decreasing in intensity. One of the more unique pieces of technology that is used for hurricane forecasting are satellites, in particular a satellite known as the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission or TRMM. Launched in 1997 it has revolutionized the way scientists forecast hurricanes.
In 1998 during its pass over Hurricane Bonnie, it confirmed the existence of a then hypothetical structure within hurricanes known as “Hot Towers”. Hot towers occur when convection and latent heat within the eye wall of a hurricane surges up through the atmosphere. Usually this occurs within the lower layer of the atmosphere known as the troposphere. However, on some occasions these towering thunderclouds can break through into the stratosphere over 15km (9.3 miles) high sending moisture and heat into the stratosphere that is usually very moisture poor and cold.
So what’s the significance of hot towers to hurricane forecasting? When these structures are observed within a hurricane it is usually indicative of the storm strengthening, as they are caused by heat and convection and hurricanes feed on heat. Recently with hurricane Isaac hot towers were observed punching through the troposphere and into the stratosphere just before it made landfall. The attached picture is a computer simulation of the hot tower within Isaac based upon data collected from TRMM. This phenomenon is truly a stunning display of power from this awesome force of nature. -NF
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/earthmatters/2012/09/12/discovering-hot-towers/?src=fb
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=7733
